I

Contractors in the Workplace/Deployment

Ethics Counselor's Course October 2015

ETHICS OF CONTRACTORS IN THE WORKPLACE

AND ON DEPLOYMENT

I. REFERENCES

A. 5 C.F.R. § 2635.102 Definitions

B. 5 C.F.R. § 2635 Subpart B: Gifts From Outside Sources

C. 5 C.F.R. § 2635.203: Gift Definitions

D. 5 C.F.R. § 2635.204: Gift Exceptions

E. 5 C.F.R. § 2635.808: Fundraising Activities

F. 5 C.F.R. § 2635.303: Gifts Between Employees Definitions

G. DoD 1400.25-M: Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Manual (CPM)

H. DoDI 1015.10: Programs for Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR)

I. 18 U.S.C. § 208: Acts Affecting a Personal Financial Interest

J. 5 C.F.R. § 2635.401: Conflicting Financial Interests

K. 5 C.F.R. § 2635.501: Impartiality in Performing Official Duties

L. 5 C.F.R. § 2635.601: Seeking Other Employment

M. 5 C.F.R. § 2640: Interpretation, Exemptions and Waiver Guidance Concerning 18 U.S.C.

§ 208

N. 48 C.F.R. Ch. 1, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 3.6: Contracts with

Government Employees or Organizations Owned or Controlled by Them

O. OMB Circular No. A-76: Performance of Commercial Activities (Revised May 29, 2003)

P. FAR Subpart 7.5: Inherently Governmental Functions

Q. FAR Subpart 37: Personal Services Contracts

R. 41 C.F.R. § 102-74.415: Posting and Distributing Materials

S. Financial Management Regulation, DoD 7000.14-R

T. FAR Subpart 16.4: Incentive Contracts

U. FAR Subpart 45.101: Government Property, Definitions

V. FAR 45.509-2: Use of Government Property

W. DoD 4500.36-R: Management, Acquisition, and Use of Motor Vehicles

X. 31 U.S.C. § 1353: Acceptance of Travel and Related Expenses From Non-Federal

Sources

Y. 5 U.S.C. § 4111: Acceptance of Contributions, Awards, and Other Payments

Z. 5 C.F.R. § 2635.703: Use of Nonpublic Information

AA. 5 C.F.R. § 2635.604: Disqualification While Seeking Employment

BB. DoD 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation (JER) 2-204(c): Standard for Accomplishing

Disqualification

CC. 5 C.F.R. Part 950: Solicitation of Federal Civilian and Uniformed Service Personnel for

Contributions to Private Voluntary Organizations

DD. 18 U.S.C. § 1905: The Trade Secrets Act

EE. 41 U.S.C. § 423: Procurement Integrity

FF. 18 U.S.C. § 203: Compensation to Members of Congress, Officers, and Others in

Matters Affecting the Government

GG. 18 U.S.C. § 205: Activities of Officers and Employees in Claims Against and Other

Matters Affecting the Government

HH. 5 C.F.R. § 2635.801-803: Outside Activities

II. FAR Subpart 37.114(c): Special Acquisition Requirements

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II. GOAL

The goal of this chapter is to provide a quick overview of the ethics issues that commonly arise

in dealing with contractor employees in the Federal workplace during deployment into a combat

zone. Frequently, the proper use of contractor support are matters for procurement regulations,

although the growing use of contractor employees in the Federal workplace increases the frequency

and the likelihood that ethics issues will arise. In these circumstances, it is best to use a combination

of procurement and ethics guidance.

The following discussion provides guidance on the government-contractor relationship.

For specific material, please see the pertinent chapters of this desk book and the Federal Acquisition

Regulations.

Please note that the terms, “DOD personnel”, “Government personnel” and “Government

employees” include military and civilian personnel. “Contractors,” “Contractor personnel” and

“Contractor employees” include personnel employed as prime or sub-contractor under Federal

Acquisition Regulations contract, gratuitous services agreement, or theatre-sponsored business

program.

III. INTRODUCTION

A. Contractor employees are not government personnel and are not subject to the same laws

and regulations, except in the deployed environment. Theatre General Orders apply to

both government and contractor personnel. Government personnel are subject to Federal

laws/regulations and DoD regulations. Contractor personnel are subject to Federal

criminal laws (such as bribery), Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, the work rules

of their particular employer, and any restrictions imposed by the contract.

B. The Government establishes a relationship with the contractor, which is defined by the

contract. Normally, government personnel do not exercise any of the following functions

over contractor employees:

1. Supervise or direct.

2. Approve leave or other absences.

3. Train or approve training. (Normally a contractor is expected to provide a trained

workforce that is responsive to and meets the contract obligations.)

4. Conduct performance appraisals or other evaluations.

5. Provide or approve awards and recognition.

Performance standards establish the performance level required by the Government to meet the contract requirements.

The standards shall be measurable and structured to permit an assessment of the contractor’s performance. The FAR

provides Government authority to evaluate contract performance, but the authority does not extend to the performance of

individual contractor employees. (FAR 37.603(a))

Bonuses and incentive compensation are allowable for personal service contracts provided : (i) Awards are paid or

accrued under an agreement entered into in good faith between the contractor and the employees before the services are

rendered or pursuant to an established plan or policy followed by the contractor so consistently as to imply, in effect, an

agreement to make such payment; and (ii) Basis for the award is supported. (FAR 31.205-6(f))

Contractors in the Workplace/Deployment

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6. Tell or suggest to a contractor whom to hire or fire.

7. Discipline contractor employees.

C. Contractor employees may not exercise any of the following functions:

1. Supervise government personnel.

2. Supervise employees of other contractors.

3. Administer or supervise government procurement activities.

4. Perform inherently governmental functions.

5. Evaluate, discipline or reward government personnel

IV. INHERENTLY GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS AND PERSONAL SERVICES

An inherently governmental function is one that is so intimately related to the public interest as

to mandate performance by government employees. These functions include those activities that

require the exercise of discretion in applying government authority, the use of judgment in making

decisions for the government, and decisions regarding monetary transactions and entitlements. (OMB

Circular No. A-76; FAR 7.5)

A. It is government policy that contractor employees shall not be used to perform inherently

governmental functions.

FAR 7.5 lists 20 functions considered to be Inherently

Governmental. The list is attached to the end of this outline.

B. Attachment A of OMB Circular No. A-76 provides examples of commercial activities not

normally considered inherently governmental.

C. Unless authorized by statute, the government cannot contract for personal services. (FAR

37.104(b)) A personal services contract is one that, by its terms, or as administered,

makes the contractor employees appear to be, in effect, government employees.

1. If you seek a personal services contract, and are authorized by statute, obtain

the review and opinion of legal counsel specializing in government contracts

(FAR 37.104 (e)).

2. Statutory personal services contracts in DoD

(a) 10 U.S.C. § 129b

(i) Outside United states; or

(ii) Direct support of DoD intelligence component; or

Agencies shall not award a contract for the performance of an inherently governmental function (see Subpart 7.5 of FAR

37.102(c)). Further, Agency heads have an affirmative duty to ensure specific procedures are in place before contracting

for services to ensure that inherently governmental functions are performed only by Government personnel (FAR

37.503(c)).

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(iii) Direct support of special operations command, DoD.

(b) 10 U.S.C. § 1029. Health care responsibilities in medical treatment

facilities.

V. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Since Federal conflict of interest rules apply to government personnel, they must take care to

avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest with their official duties. The following provides a

description of the differences between government personnel and contractor employees.

A. Contractor employees are not subject to 18 U.S.C. § 208 and 5 CFR 2635.502, but remain

subject to 18 U.S.C. § 201 (Bribery), 41 U.S.C. 423 (Procurement Integrity), and other

procurement-related statutes. Contractors are also required to report criminal conduct

committed by their employees, under the authority of FAR 3.10. Government personnel

are subject to criminal statutes and regulations that restrict their official participation in

particular matters that have an effect on their financial interests, and require them to

avoid even an appearance of loss of impartiality in performing their official duties. (5

CFR 2635.401 and 501, and 5 CFR 2640)

Example: A contractor employee was a supply technician whose job was to complete requisition

and invoice shipping documents to facilitate the award of government freight transportation contracts

to freight forwarding companies. The contractor employee accepted from a sales representative of a

local freight forwarding company items valued at approximately $10,000. These included lunches

and dinners, concert tickets, NASCAR tickets, weekend accommodations, spa days, alcoholic

beverages, and various clothing and jewelry items. The contractor employee pled guilty to

conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities (in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 201 and 371).

Practice Tip: It is important for contractor employees to remain within the scope of the contract and

not perform personal or inherently governmental functions. At all times, the government should

have visibility over the contractor tasks and deliverables. The government should question

contractor recommendations that do not make sense or appear inappropriate.

B. Government standards of ethical conduct rules require that government personnel to be

appropriately aware of, and trained on criminal statutes and implementing administrative

regulations. Government personnel have a designated ethics official from whom to seek

advice and counsel. Contractor employees are required to maintain a program of

business ethics, as well as extensive training and reporting programs.

C. Certain covered Government personnel must annually report their financial interests,

liabilities and outside activities. Contractor employees generally have no similar

mandated requirement. However, since the Government has an interest in prohibiting

anyone from working on official matters in which they have a conflict of interest, the

contract may require disclosure and avoidance of potential conflicts. The contract may

require disclosure of the financial interests of any contractor employee when disclosure

would be required of a Government employee.

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Practice Tip: Any documentation supporting financial disclosure should remain with the contractor.

Otherwise, the documents will become subject to OMB Paperwork Reduction Act, Privacy Act and

possibly Freedom of Information Act.

Example: A contractor employee is responsible for testing products and providing the results of his

tests as a deliverable to assist the government technical evaluation board to award a contract. The

contractor employee owns stock in one of the companies being evaluated. Statutes and regulations

prohibit government personnel from participating in a matter that has a direct and predictable effect

on their financial interests. Without a similar disclosure requirement, the government would be

unable to discover that a potential contractor had employee conflict of interest.

D. Government personnel should be particularly vigilant to avoid any actual or apparent

conflicts of interests with their official duties.

E. To avoid any conflict of interest between official duties and personal interests and to

avoid the appearance of favoritism or preferential treatment, the government (absent a

compelling need determination) may not award a contract to government personnel.

Unless the head of the contracting activity makes a compelling need determination, a

contracting officer may not award a contract to a government employee or to a business

concern or other organization owned or substantially owned or controlled by one or more

government employees. (FAR 3.601)

VI. CONTRACTOR BUSINESS ETHICS PROGRAMS

A. Contractors will have ethics and business gratuity policies and extensive training and

reporting programs. FAR 3.10 requires --

1. Contractor code of business ethics and conduct;

2. Training and internal ethics control system that --

a. Are suitable to the size of the company and extent of its involvement in

government contracting;

b. Facilitate timely discovery and disclosure of improper conduct in connection

with government contracts; and

c. Ensure corrective measures are promptly instituted and carried out.

2. Mandatory disclosure to the government of certain criminal law violations, False

Claims Act violations, or evidence of significant overpayments.

B. Requirements apply to contract and subcontracts greater than $5.5 Million and

performance period greater than 120 days. Small business and commercial items

contracts are exempt from ethics training and internal control systems.

C. Contractor may be suspended or debarred for a knowing violation by a principle to timely

disclose to the government credible evidence of --

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A violation of federal criminal law involving fraud, conflict of interest, bribery or

gratuity violations in Title 18, United States Code, violation of False Claims Act, or

significant overpayment occurring in connection with the award, performance, or close

out of a government contract performed by a contractor or subcontractor. Knowing

failure to timely disclose credible evidence of any of the above violations remains a

cause for suspension and/or debarment until 3 years after final payment on a contract.

D. When the contracting officer is notified of possible contractor violation of Federal

criminal law involving fraud, conflict of interest, bribery, or gratuity violations found in

Title 18 USC or a violation of the civil False Claims Act, the contracting officer shall –

1. Coordinate the matter with the agency Office of the Inspector General; or

2. Take action in accordance with agency procedures.

VII. GIFTS

The gift rules may pose more difficulty in a workplace that emphasizes teamwork between

government personnel and contractor employees. Although these groups may work side by side,

each has a different set of rules that guides not only their individual behavior, but also official

interaction. The government gift rules fall into two categories: (1) gifts from outside sources and (2)

gifts between employees. Since contractor employees are not government personnel, gifts from

contractors constitute gifts from outside sources, not gifts between employees.

Practice Tip: Government personnel should not, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept a gift from a

DoD prohibited source (All DoD contractors and their employees are prohibited sources

) or a gift

given because of the employee’s official position. (5 CFR 2635 Subpart B); DoD 5500.7-R, Joint

Ethics Regulation (JER).

A. Gifts From contractor employees to government personnel:

1. Some items are excluded from the definition of a gift, so they may be accepted.

The most relevant exclusions are modest food and refreshments, greeting cards,

and anything for which market value is paid by the government employee. (5

CFR 2635.203)

2. If the item is not excluded, then government personnel may accept a gift only if it

fits an exception. (5 CFR 2635.204)

a. $20/$50 exception - The most common exception is the $20/$50 rule.

Government personnel may accept unsolicited gifts if they are not cash and

are valued at or under $20 per source, per occasion. The aggregate limit from

a single source is $50 per calendar year. (5 CFR 2635.204(a))

The term “prohibited source” is very inclusive and encompasses not only the corporate entity that enters a contract, but

also any officer, employee, or agent of the entity. Therefore the term “prohibited source” in the gift definitions includes

not only the contracting entity, but also each and every employee of the contractor. (5 C.F.R. 2635.102 and 203)

Contractors in the Workplace/Deployment

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Practice Tip: The $50 maximum applies to the contractor and aggregates all gifts from individual

contractor employees who are employed by that contractor. Consequently, a government employee

or member could not accept three $20 lunches from three different contractor employees during the

year if the three worked for the same contractor at the time of the gifts.

Example: A team made up of contractor employees and government personnel successfully

complete a project, marking the delivery and successful completion of the contract. The contractor

throws a party to celebrate, inviting the government personnel. May government personnel attend

the party? Contract completion does not necessarily end the contractor’s status as a prohibited

source. If the contractor does business or seeks to continue to do business with the agency, then the

contractor remains a prohibited source. Moreover, government personnel may not accept a gift

from a contractor (invitations to a party) if the contractor offers the invitation based on the

government employee’s or member's position. Therefore, government personnel may only attend if

the party falls within a gift exception (e.g. the $20/$50 exception). Even then, government personnel

should remain mindful of a possible appearance of impropriety.

Example: Because they live in close proximity to one another, a contractor employee wishes to join

a carpool with a government employee. Such an arrangement is allowed if each of the participants

bears their fair proportion of the expense involved. A “gift” does not include anything for which

market value is paid by the government employee.

b. Personal relationship exception – Another exception permits government

personnel to accept gifts clearly motivated by personal friendship. When

using this exception, it must be clear that the motivation for giving the gift is

a family or personal relationship, and that the contractor employee, not the

contractor, is paying for the gift. Evidence of a qualifying personal

relationship includes interactions that extend beyond the workplace over an

extended period of time, and evidence of friendships that existed prior to the

relationship in the workplace. (5 CFR 2635.204(b))

Practice Tip: Evidence of this relationship must be objective and substantial in order to rebut the

presumption that friendships arising from interaction in the workplace do not qualify for this

exception. If the relationship did not exist prior to working together and there is little evidence of

interaction outside of the workplace it probably does not qualify for the personal relationship

exception.

Practice Tip: If a contractor employee invites a government employee to his house, the employee

may accept the invitation only if it falls under an exclusion or exception discussed above. While the

government rules on gifts between government employees provide an exception for personal

hospitality, the rules on gifts from outside sources do not.

3. Disposition of prohibited gifts: If a government employee receives a gift that may

not be accepted, the employee must return the gift or pay the offeror its market

value. Subsequent reciprocation by the government employee does not constitute

payment for the gift. (5 CFR 2635.203(b)) Consequently, accepting lunch from a

contractor employee with the intent to “pay next time” is not an acceptable means

to eliminate the prohibited gift.

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B. Gifts to contractor employees from government personnel:

1. The government gift rules do not apply to contractor employees or to gifts from

government personnel to those employees.

2. Contractors may have adopted corporate ethics rules that determine if the contractor

employees may accept such gifts.

C. Group Gifts: For certain special occasions, such as retirements, marriages, births of

children, or funerals:

1. Government personnel may pool their funds for a group gift if the recipient is not

an official superior.

2. Government personnel may pool their funds for a group gift to an official superior

as long as the gifts are appropriate to the occasion and the contributions are

voluntary. Such gifts are also subject to a $300 limitation in JER 2-203(a)(2).

3. Contractor employees may not contribute to a group gift for government personnel.

Gifts from outside sources (contractor employees) are governed by 5 CFR 2635,

subpart B. Gifts from government personnel are regulated by 5 CFR 2635, subpart

C, which authorizes group gifts only from government personnel. Neither of the

regulations provides authority to mix the contributions. Since there is no authority

for contractor employees and government personnel to commingle donations for a

group gift, such a practice is prohibited.

Example: Three different contractor employees who work for a government agency wish to buy a

$45 coffee table book for a departing government employee. Although each of the contractor

employees contributes $15 toward the gift, the government employee may not accept the gift because

it is a single $45 gift.

4. Government personnel may not solicit outside sources (including contractor

employees) for contributions to group gifts. (5 CFR 2635.808(c)(1)(i))

Example: A government employee's supervisor is getting married. A lower level government

employee takes up an office collection for a wedding gift, suggesting that each employee may

voluntarily donate up to $5.00. The government employee may not ask the contractor employee for

$5.00 – this would be soliciting a gift from a prohibited source. Moreover, the contractor employee

could not give an unsolicited gift of $5.00 towards the government employee office gift. However,

the contractor employee could give his own gift subject to the $20 limit from each contracting

source.

5. Group gifts to contractor employees:

a. There is no government prohibition on government personnel collecting

among themselves for a group gift to a contractor employee.

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b. Contractors may have their own rules of ethics or business practices that

guide appropriate behavior. Employees should take these rules into

consideration before offering contractor employees gifts or opportunities that

they may not be able to accept. Check with the contracting officer or the

contractor supervisor.

VIII. PARTIES AND OTHER UNOFFICIAL OUTINGS

These functions represent a subset of gifts, and therefore the gift rules apply. On occasion,

government personnel participate in activities outside the government workplace. Especially during

the holiday season, social gatherings are common. Whether for morale and welfare purposes or a

simple social gathering, these unofficial endeavors can pose difficulties for contractor employees

who may wish to participate. Parties, gift exchanges, and the like are often organized to celebrate the

particular event or season. The gift rules apply to these situations as well. Pay particular attention to

gift acceptance thresholds and the prohibition on solicitations of prohibited sources.

A. Parties, Open-Houses, and Receptions:

1. Government personnel may attend social events sponsored by non-prohibited sources

if no one is charged admission. (e.g., most holiday receptions and open-houses) (5

CFR 2625.204(h)).

2. Widely Attending Gathering - The widely attended gathering exception allows

government personnel in their personal capacity to accept free attendance at an event

that meets the criteria set out in 5 CFR 2635.204(g)(2) and (3). Widely attended

gatherings must be open to a wide audience or represent a range of persons interested

in the subject matter. The agency must determine whether there is agency interest or

conflict of interest with the offeror. Free attendance is a personal gift to government

personnel. 5 CFR 2635.204(g)(1) authorizes government personnel to participate as a

speaker, panel member, etc and accept free attendance on the day of their

participation. Under this authority, free attendance on the day of participation is not a

gift to the agency and is an exception to the general gift acceptance rule for the

individual.

3. Government personnel may attend events in which the per-person cost is $20 or less

(and the individual has not exceeded the $50 limit on gifts from that source for§ that

calendar year.)

B. Parties and gift exchanges that include contractor personnel:

1. Gifts from contractors or their employees, even during the holidays, may not exceed

$20, unless another exception applies. (5 CFR 2635.202)

2. Contributions to cover the cost of the event: Contractor personnel may pay their

share of the fee to cover the actual cost of refreshments or may bring food to share if

others are doing the same. These are not considered gifts, but rather the cost of their

share of an unofficial office function or lunch.

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3. Gifts to contractor employees: Check with the contractor, since contractors have

codes of ethics that limit the acceptance of gifts.

Example: The office is celebrating the marriage of one of the government employees during the non-

duty lunch hour or after work. Each person attending has been asked to pay $10 to cover

refreshments and to bring an entrée or dessert. The contractor employee may attend, pay $10, and

bring food because these contributions are not considered to be gifts, but a fair share contribution to

the refreshments. However, the contractor employee should not be on contract time billed to the

government.

IX. TIME MANAGEMENT

The contract and contractor supervisor control the time management of the contractor

employees. Government personnel may not circumvent the contractor supervisor. Time billed to the

government must be in furtherance of and in performance of the contract. Government personnel

may not ask contractor employees to work outside the scope or limitations of the contract. May not:

A. Authorize compensatory time for contractor employees.

B. Invite contractor employees away from their assigned workplace or otherwise authorize

contractor employees to attend activities unrelated to the performance of their contract.

(Examples include sports days, team-building exercises, retirement ceremonies, and

office social events.)

C. Grant an early release such as “59 minute” early release.

D. Unless authorized in the contract, ask for help to set up an office or command event,

decorate offices for holiday themes, etc.

E. Ask contractor employees to volunteer personal time to help set up an office or command

event.

X. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

A. Political Activities in the Workplace:

The Hatch Act and DoD regulations prohibit Government personnel from conducting political

activities in the workplace and limit their political activities elsewhere. These restrictions apply only

to DoD personnel and do not apply to contractor employees. Therefore, there is no Federal

prohibition on contractor employees engaging in political activity, such as displaying signs or

actively campaigning, in the Government workplace.

1. To remove this incongruity, components should establish and apply site regulations

to restrict political signs. For example, General Services Administration (GSA)

Federal Management Regulation (FMR) prohibit posting or affixing materials on

bulletin boards or elsewhere on GSA controlled property, except as authorized. This

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restriction does not apply to public areas. (41 CFR §102-74.415). Moreover, each

service will have restrictions concerning political activity on installation. WHS has

restrictions on political activity at the Pentagon Reservation.

2. Another possible solution is to capture political activity restriction in the contract/task

order.

Example: A contractor employee is running for local political office as a partisan candidate. May

the contractor employee place a campaign poster above his desk in the Federal worksite? May the

contractor employee solicit campaign contributions from the government employees? Unless the

agency has workplace rules that govern such display activities, the contract prohibits, or is a GSA

owned or controlled building no existing government regulations on political activities currently

prohibit such activity.

B. Use of Office to Influence an Election or Affect Political Activity:

The Hatch Act at 5 U.S.C. 7323 prohibits a Federal civilian employee from:

 Using “his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the

results of an election.”

 Soliciting or discouraging the participation in any political activity of another person who is

seeking certain official actions by that office.

Among other things, this prevents government civilian employees from suggesting to members

of the public who call a Federal office that they should vote for a particular candidate or

contribute to a particular political party.

Contractor personnel, including those who may be dealing with the public, are not subject to

these restrictions. Therefore, contractor personnel may attempt to use their relationship with the

government to imply endorsement or approval of their political platform or agenda. Contracts,

task orders and Installation policies on political activity should limit political activity by

contractor personnel while performing the government contract.

XI. AWARDS

Commonly, government organizations assign teams to solve a particular problem. These

teams often represent a mix of government personnel and contractor employees. Upon successful

completion of the project, the organization may recognize members of the team. The government

may award government personnel using a variety of methods, ranging from certificates of

appreciation to time off and a monetary bonus. The government does not have the same authority to

recognize contractor employees even if they are members of a team that includes government

personnel.

A. Contractors may have their own awards and bonus programs.

B. Contracts may include incentives and awards for performance or work performed ahead

of schedule (FAR 16.4).

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C. The DoD Civilian Personnel Manual offers very limited authority to recognize contractor

employees for contributions that are deemed unrelated and completely outside the

contractual relationship and recognition is clearly in the public interest (DOD 1400.25,

V451, Enclosure 3, paragraph 11b).

D. Recognition of a contractor employee may only take the form of a letter or certificate of

appreciation signed at the lowest applicable level of the organization

E. Use of appropriated fund “Commander’s Coins” are only to recognize special

achievements of government employees and may not be given to contractor employees.

Nor may commanders give contractor employees coins that they have purchased with

personal funds.

F. Before deciding to give a presentation, award, or recognition to a contractor employee,

check with the contracting officer and servicing legal office, since any recognition may

be used against the government in a dispute involving contract performance.

XII. USE OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

A. Contract: As a matter of policy, contractors are ordinarily required to furnish all property

necessary to perform Government contracts. (FAR 45.102)

B. Government furnished property: If the government determines that property is unique, it

is cost effective or otherwise in the government’s best interest, the government may so

provide in the contract. The contract must describe the property that will be furnished

during performance and establish accountability and return procedures. System of

property control must be in writing. When the government provides property and

resources, contractor employees may only use the resources for purposes authorized to

fulfill the requirements of the contract. (FAR 45.509-2)

C. Government furnished services: Normally, government organizations include

departments that provide services for some or all of its government personnel, including

Employee Relations, Equal Employment Opportunity, Arbitration/Mediation, Chaplain,

and Legal. Although such services are readily available at the work site, contractor

employees may not use these resources unless otherwise provided for in the contract or

otherwise qualified. For example, a contractor employee who is a retired military

member does have some limited ability to use military-provided legal services.

Contractors are responsible for providing employee related services (Employee Relations,

EEO, and Mediation) to their employees.

D. Government furnished training – see training section, infra.

E. Personal use policy: While Agency Designees (supervisors) have the authority to

determine appropriate personal use of government resources by government personnel,

they do not exercise the same authority and control over contractor employees. Because

the contractor employee is fulfilling the obligation of the contract, all use of government

property must comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Since the contractor is

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responsible for meeting all deadlines and deliverables of the contract, it may further

restrict personal use of resources that could have a detrimental impact on the cost,

quality, and timeliness of the delivered product or service. The contractor may limit

personal use provisions in the contract, but the contractor may not expand them.

F. Use of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR)/NonAppropriated Funds Instrumentality

(NAFI) programs and facilities: The installation commander has the discretion to allow

contractor employees that work full-time on the installation limited use of military MWR

activities, such as restaurants, gymnasiums, and golf courses. Commanders may open

activities to these patrons based on local demand and capacity. Resale of food, state tax-

free beverages, and tobacco products is restricted to amounts consumed on the premises,

and to convenience merchandise incidental to daily participation. (DoDI 1015.10, Encl.

4) Reminder: while the Commander may approve participation by contractor employees,

contractor employees may not take advantage of MWR/NAFI discounts unless otherwise

qualified.

XIII. TRANSPORTATION

The Government provides vehicles and shuttle service to promote efficiency in conducting

Government business. Local area commanders have the discretion to determine if use is for official

purposes.

A. Contractor personnel may not be issued Invitational Travel Orders. All travel should be

priced and included in the contract. See JTR Appendix E, Part I, D and FAR 31.205-46.

Government contractors are not eligible under any circumstances for city pair airfares.

B. Contractor employees may use government shuttle bus services when conducting official

defense business. (DoD Directive 4500.36-R, 5-6)

C. Government personnel may accept contractor–provided transportation to meetings or

similar events for official business as a gift to the Government under 31 U.S.C. § 1353

and 41 C.F.R. § 304-1.2.

1. This authority may not be used to accept the offer of travel from a contractor to attend

meetings that carry out the mission of the government employee, such as

investigations, inspections, audits and site visits.

2. This authority may not be used to accept travel to vendor promotional training or

other meetings held for the primary purpose of marketing the products or services of

a non-Federal entity.

3. This authority may not be used if acceptance would cause a reasonable person with

knowledge of the relevant facts to question the integrity of agency programs or

operations.

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4. Prior approval is required. Alternatively, a government employee may receive after

the fact approval upon return and the travel gift does not exceed the original travel

authorization or has not been previously disallowed.

Example: A contractor employee offers to drive a government employee to a professional

conference to which they have both been invited that is 250 miles away. This is permissible, with

advance approval, because 31 U.S.C. 1353 and 41 C.F.R. § 304-1.2 permit heads of government

components to accept travel benefits from a non-Federal source in connection with attendance in an

official capacity at a meeting or similar function. Such travel must be approved in advance by the

travel acceptance authority and ethics counselor.

XIV. TRAINING

A. Government-provided and “All Hands” training: When the government contracts for a

service, the contractor is responsible for providing fully trained and prepared employees.

A contract normally will require the contractor to provide “ready to work” contractor

employees, meaning the contractor must ensure that its employees meet all skill, security,

and other indoctrination requirements.

1. Government personnel may not independently require or grant contractor employees

the time to attend training. Remember that the contractor supervisor is responsible

for time management, and that time away from the workplace puts the contractor at a

disadvantage, and may impair the contractor’s ability to meet contract obligations or

delivery dates.

2. The Government may provide training to contractor employees if not required by the

contract. If the government and contractor supervisor agree that contractor employee

attendance at training is appropriate, and it does not otherwise create a conflict or

give the appearance of favoring a contractor, then the government must determine

whether the training is a necessary and reasonable expense under their appropriations.

Example: A government supervisor wants his entire division to attend EEO training; he wants to

require the contractor employees supporting his division to attend as well. He may not do so unless

the government and contractor supervisor have agreed on the training and time management, or the

training is otherwise required under the contract.

B. Contractor-provided training. If a contractor offers training to government personnel that

is not required by the contract, the ethics official should analyze it under the gift

acceptance rules. Exceptions to allow the acceptance of training from a contractor

include:

1. Government Acceptance Authority - Agencies have statutory authority to accept free

attendance for training that is held away from an employee’s official duty station.

Training does not have to be open to members throughout a given industry or

profession, nor does it have to represent a range of persons interested in the subject

matter to qualify for this exception. However, it must meet the requirements set out in

31 U.S.C. 1353.

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2. Training from non-profit organizations or educational institutions - This authority

applies to training that a civilian employee attends while on official duty or training

that has been paid for in whole or in part by the government. This exemption only

applies to benefits provided by tax-exempt organizations, such as non-profit

institutions or universities. Records on the gift must be maintained by the agency. (5

U.S.C. 4111, 5 C.F.R. § 410.501-602).

3. Gifts to the Agency – Many agencies have statutory gift acceptance authority that

may authorize them to accept gifts, including training. For DoD see 10 U.S.C. 2601

and 2608.

4. Widely Attending Gathering - The widely attended gathering exception allows

government personnel in their personal capacity to accept free attendance at a training

event that meets the criteria set out in 5 C.F.R. § 2635.204(g). Widely attended

gatherings must be open to a wide audience or represent a range of persons interested

in the subject matter. Attendance at the event is not a gift to the agency and is an

exception to the general gift acceptance rule for the individual.

XV. MISUSE OF POSITION/ENDORSEMENT

A. Government personnel may not use their public office for their private gain, for the

endorsement of any product, service or enterprise, or for the private gain of friends or

other persons. Furthermore, government personnel may not use their position or

authority in a manner that is intended to coerce or induce another to provide any benefit

to family, friends, or associates with whom the government employee is affiliated in a

nongovernmental capacity. (5 C.F.R. § 2635.702)

Example: A Government employee's best friend is looking for a job. She has heard from contractor

employees with whom she is working that the contractor has several openings in her friend's area of

expertise. She can pass on public information about this job opening to her friend, but she cannot ask

the contractor to interview or hire her friend.

Example: A contractor employee with whom a government employee has worked on an official

matter requests a letter of recommendation in support of her job application with a different private

sector company. The military member may write the letter using his title and position because this

recommendation is based on his official knowledge of the individual that he gained in the course of

his government employment. The letter may not be amount to an endorsement of the contractor

employer. Note: Due to the severe limits on contractor recognition, such a letter of appreciation

would only be appropriate if the contract that the two individuals had worked together on had

expired.

XVI. SWITCHING SIDES

The opportunity for inadvertent violation of the post-employment statutes and rules increases

when contractor employees and Government personnel are working side-by-side.

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A. Contractor Employee Moving to the Government:

When a contractor employee applies for a government position, ensure all of the appropriate

hiring procedures are followed, especially if the employee supports tasks within the hiring office.

1. A former contractor employee is disqualified for two years from working on

particular matters in which his former employer is or represents a party if he received

an extraordinary payment. An “extraordinary payment” is any item, including cash

or investment interest, exceeding $10,000 based on a determination made after it

became known that the employee was being considered for or has accepted a

government position, and other than pursuant to the former employer’s established

compensation, partnership, or benefits program. A compensation, partnership, or

benefits program will be deemed an established program if it is contained in bylaws,

contract or other written form, or if there is a history of similar payments made to

others not entering into Federal service. See 5 CFR § 2635.503.

2. A former contractor employee may also have conflict of interest limitations under 18

USC § 208 if the employee retains a financial interest in the former employer, such a

retirement or pension plans, deferred compensation, stock or profit distributions, or

re-employment options.

B. Impartiality Requirements for Recently-Hired Government Personnel:

1. Reasonable people who are aware of the circumstances may question the ability of

former contractor employees who are now working for the government to be

impartial in a particular matter concerning their previous employer. Such personnel

should consult with their supervisors and ethics counselors to assist them in resolving

the perceived loss of impartiality regarding their former contractor employer. (5

C.F.R. § 2635.502)

Example: A former contractor employee has just started work as a government employee. When he

left his private sector job, his former boss told him to let her know of any business opportunities that

would increase the company’s market within the government. The government employee would like

to help his former boss. The government employee can pass on public information, such as an

announced solicitation, but he cannot pass on non-public information about agency programs,

possible contracts, cost estimates or other potential business opportunities.

2. Recently hired former contractor employees sometimes continue to hold financial

interests in their former employer, such as retirement benefits or stock. Such

financial interests may require them to disqualify themselves from official matters

affecting the financial interests of their former employer. (5 C.F.R. § 2640)

C. Government Personnel Moving to a Contractor: (Note: The below situations illustrate

only the common issues that arise when contractors work in the Federal workplace.

Federal personnel who leave the government for private employment must comply

with applicable restriction including 18 U.S.C 207 and the Procurement Integrity

Act, 41 U.S.C. 423, Section 847 which are not fully discussed here. Please see the

Post Government Employment Tab in the Deskbook.)

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1. Government personnel seeking or negotiating for employment with a contractor may

not work on any particular matter affecting the financial interests of the prospective

contractor employer. (18 U.S.C. § 208, 5 C.F.R. § 2635.604)).

2. If a contractor employee offers to discuss employment opportunities (unsolicited)

with a government employee, unless the government employee makes a clear and

immediate rejection, he must disqualify himself from participating in matters that

affect the financial interests of the contractor. (5 C.F.R. § 2635.604) Also, if the

employee is covered by procurement integrity, 41 U.S.C. 423, the employee is also

required to notify the head of the contracting activity, contracting officer, source

selection authority, supervisor, and ethics counselor.

Example: A contractor employee approaches a government employee who is working on a matter

that affects the contractor and starts employment discussions with the government employee. If the

government employee does not immediately and clearly reject the possibility of employment, the

employee must stop working on the matter. As indicated above, he may also have to report the

contact to appropriate authorities.

XVII. NON-DISCLOSURE

Government personnel with access to nonpublic information may not disclose it without

authorization. Nonpublic information is any information gained by reason of government

employment that government personnel know or reasonably should know has not been made

available to the general public. (5 C.F.R. § 2635.703). Sharing nonpublic information with

contractor employees (unless they are cleared and authorized to receive such information) is the same

as releasing it outside the government. Therefore, ethics officials should caution government

employees to take particular care when discussing nonpublic information in areas where contractor

personnel are co-located: in elevators, break and rest rooms, cafeterias, and other public areas.

If the contractor employee needs access to nonpublic information to perform his duties under

the contract, then the contract should stipulate the limits of the access and appropriate protection.

Issues to consider when providing nonpublic information to contractor employees:

A. Is the purpose of providing access to the nonpublic information within the scope of the

contract?

B. Is there a need to know or to have the access?

C. Is permission required?

D. Has contractor employee signed a non-disclosure agreement? No information should be

provided contractor employees unless they have executed a non-disclosure agreement. (5

C.F.R. § 2635.703). Note: government employees do not sign non-disclosure

agreements prepared by contractors to protect proprietary information.

E. Have adequate precautions been taken to maintain the integrity of the procurement

process and have steps been taken to ensure against providing unfair competitive

advantage?

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F. While the Trade Secrets Act (18 U.S.C. 1905) does not apply to contractor employees,

the Procurement Integrity Act (41 U.S.C. 423) and its prohibition against obtaining and

disclosing proprietary information does apply to them.

G. Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a

H. Espionage Act, 18 U.S.C. 1831 – 1839

I. Release of classified material? 18 U.S.C. 1905, FAR 14.211, Executive Order 1233

XVIII. CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is a Government attempt to control the solicitation

for contributions by private organizations of government personnel while in the government

workplace. An exception allows organization heads to approve “by your own for your own”

solicitations of government personnel. Reminder: The approval does not allow solicitation of

individuals who are not government personnel.

A. Government personnel, in their official or their personal capacities, may not solicit

contractor employees either on or off duty. (5 C.F.R. § 2635.808(c)(1)(i)).

B. Government personnel may engage in volunteer and personal charitable activities when

not on duty, not at worksite, or otherwise not acting in an official capacity.

C. Just like any charitable organization, contractor employees cannot solicit government

personnel in the Federal workplace.

Example: A Government employee’s religious organization is sponsoring a night each month at a

homeless shelter for members to cook, to help maintain the facility, and to provide counseling

services to the residents. The Government employee knows that one of the contractor employees is

part owner of a restaurant. She would like to ask for donations of excess food to use at the shelter.

She cannot solicit contractor employees, either on or off duty, for contributions. Further, government

personnel may not solicit or ask contractor employees to participate in group "runs" for charity, to

sponsor an employee's participation in a charitable "walk" or "run," or to purchase cookies, gift wrap,

candy bars or similar items in support of personal charitable activities. (Please note that only

solicitation is prohibited. Contractor personnel are not prohibited from voluntarily contributing or

purchasing items for sale.)

XIX. OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT

Government personnel are prohibited by 18 U.S.C. § 205 and 18 U.S.C. § 203 from

representing an outside employer or third party to the government. This makes problematic the

increasingly common practice of government personnel, who are moonlighting as contractor

personnel, physically working in government offices. The criminal statutes preclude government

personnel from representing their contractor employers to Federal personnel. Since an employee is

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an agent for the contractor, it is extremely difficult for a moonlighting employee to interact with

Federal personnel in a government workplace without making a prohibited representation. For that

reason, it is more prudent for moonlighting government personnel to work for the contractor “behind

the scenes” at a contractor office, non-governmental office, or otherwise away from the government

workplace.

The old view that “merely performing a contract” is not a representation was overturned by

OGE in their opinion 99 x 19

. OGE later advised that the logic in that opinion also applies to the

application of 18 U.S.C. § 203 and 205. Hence, an Intelligence Analyst, preparing a report under an

X Corp Government contract, represents X Corp to the Government when he submits his report.

Regardless of whether the report is accurate, timely, useful, responsive, understandable, and

comprehensive, it is the representation that is prohibited according to OGE.

Government personnel may not engage in outside activities that conflict with their official

duties if such activities are prohibited by statute or regulation or would require employees’

disqualification from matters critical to their office. (5 C.F.R. § 2635.802)

A. Government personnel may not represent others to agencies of the Government on any matter

in which the United States is a party or has a direct and substantial interest. (18 U.S.C. § 203

and 205)

B. These rules apply equally to officers in the military service that are employed during their

terminal leave. If employed by a contractor, officers in the military service generally may

not work in the Government workplace during this time. (18 U.S.C. § 203 & 205)

C. Government personnel required to file financial disclosure statements must obtain prior

written approval from their Agency Designee before working for a prohibited source.

Permission shall be granted unless the outside activity involves conduct prohibited by statute

or regulations (5 C.F.R. § 2635.803; JER 2-206 & 3-306)

Bottom line: It is almost impossible for Government personnel to work as contractor employees in

the Federal workplace. Government personnel who wish to work for a contractor may be able to

arrange to work in the contractor workplace. For military officers on terminal leave, if they can't

work behind the scenes for the contractor, they may advance their retirement date and sell back their

leave, or delay starting work until after they actually retire.

XX. CONFUSION OF IDENTITY

Due to the different roles, responsibilities, authority, and restrictions, it is necessary that the

identities of Federal personnel and contractor personnel be apparent. FAR 37.114(c) provides:

“All contractor personnel attending meetings, answering government telephones, and working in

other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify

themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public or

Congress that they are government officials, unless, in the judgment of the agency, no harm can

come from failing to identify themselves. They must also ensure that all documents or reports

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produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is

appropriately disclosed.”

XXI. CONTRACTOR CONDUCT AND OPERATIONS IN THEATRE

A. Theatre Commanders may direct military and DOD civilian personnel. Except during threat

to life and safety, Commanders may not supervise contractor personnel.

B. General Orders (such as those prohibiting alcohol use in theatre) and instructions issued by

theatre Commanders apply to contractors.

C. Command and control determined by the contract and task orders.

D. Contractor management personnel will be required to have supervisors on site to direct

contract performance and coordinate safety measures.

E. May be required to possess and display theatre badges at all times. Similarly, contractors may

be required to obtain CAC credentials and return CAC at the expiration of the contract or their

service.

F. Personnel will have support determined by the contract, or as determined by relevant theatre

instructions. For example, contractor personnel with CAC credentials may have access to

dining facilities (DFACs), gyms, exercise and MWR facilities, exchange privileges, legal

assistance privileges, and medical care. Contract language may be modified by theatre policies

and may even conflict with the contract provisions.

G. Weapons are regulated by theatre General Orders and host nation agreements. The contract

may contain clauses regarding self-defense weapons. Generally, no personal weapons of any

type are authorized in theatre. If contractors are allowed to carry defensive weapons, they will

be issued at the Individual Deployment Site or Contractor Deployment Processing Center. All

personnel will be required to adhere to weapons training requirements and safety procedures.

The contractor must ensure that employees are not prohibited under U.S. law to possess firearms

(e.g., Lautenberg Amendment, 18 U.S.C. § 922(d)(9)).

H. Motor vehicle operation. Contractor personnel may be authorized to operate government

vehicles in theatre, subject to theatre Commander orders, terms of the contract and host nation

agreements. Contractor personnel may also be provided vehicles under the terms of the

contract. Contractor personnel may be subject to host nation civil and criminal actions resulting

from operations of motor vehicles, unless they enjoy special status.

I. Life Support Areas. Typically, contractor personnel will have their own Life Support Areas

(LSA) separate from military and DOD civilian personnel, and separate from host nation or third

country national personnel. Contractor may also be required to live in field conditions, often

austere and communal, characterized by temporary structures and primitive facilities.

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J. Military Extraterritorial Judicial Act (MEJA), 18 USC §3261, et. Seq. implemented by DoD

Instruction 5525.11, dated 3 March 2005. This statute provides for Federal jurisdiction over

crimes committed outside the United States to offenses that, if committed within the special

maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, are punishable by imprisonment for

more than 1 year. This jurisdiction covers members of and persons employed by or

accompanying the Armed Forces. Contractors in theatre will be subject to MEJA.

K. Contractor salary. Contractor personnel are not entitled to special pay or tax exempt status

directly from DOD as a result of their service in theatre. All salaries are determined by the

contract and by the employment relationship. All tax privileges are determined by the Internal

Revenue Service.

L. Uniforms and organizational wear. Contractors are generally not authorized to wear a

uniform or attire that resembles US DOD uniforms. Theatre Commanders may authorize

contractors to wear uniforms in writing for operational reasons. The authorizations will be

carried by contractor personnel at all times. The uniform will indicate civilian status.

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FAR 7.5 – Inherently Governmental Functions:

(1) The direct conduct of criminal investigations.

(2) The control of prosecutions and performance of adjudicatory functions other than those relating to

arbitration or other methods of alternative dispute resolution.

(3) The command of military forces, especially the leadership of military personnel who are members of

the combat, combat support, or combat service support role.

(4) The conduct of foreign relations and the determination of foreign policy.

(5) The determination of agency policy, such as determining the content and application of regulations,

among other things.

(6) The determination of Federal program priorities for budget requests.

(7) The direction and control of Federal employees.

(8) The direction and control of intelligence and counter-intelligence operations.

(9) The selection or non-selection of individuals for Federal Government employment, including the

interviewing of individuals for employment.

(10) The approval of position descriptions and performance standards for Federal employees.

(11) The determination of what Government property is to be disposed of and on what terms (although an

agency may give contractors authority to dispose of property at prices within specified ranges and subject to

other reasonable conditions deemed appropriate by the agency).

(12) In Federal procurement activities with respect to prime contracts—

(i) Determining what supplies or services are to be acquired by the Government (although an agency

may give contractors authority to acquire supplies at prices within specified ranges and subject to other

reasonable conditions deemed appropriate by the agency);

(ii) Participating as a voting member on any source selection boards;

(iii) Approving any contractual documents, to include documents defining requirements, incentive

plans, and evaluation criteria;

(iv) Awarding contracts;

(v) Administering contracts (including ordering changes in contract performance or contract quantities,

taking action based on evaluations of contractor performance, and accepting or rejecting contractor products or

services);

(vi) Terminating contracts;

(vii) Determining whether contract costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable; and

(viii) Participating as a voting member on performance evaluation boards.

(13) The approval of agency responses to Freedom of Information Act requests (other than routine

responses that, because of statute, regulation, or agency policy, do not require the exercise of judgment in

determining whether documents are to be released or withheld), and the approval of agency responses to the

administrative appeals of denials of Freedom of Information Act requests.

(14) The conduct of administrative hearings to determine the eligibility of any person for a security

clearance, or involving actions that affect matters of personal reputation or eligibility to participate in

Government programs.

(15) The approval of Federal licensing actions and inspections.

(16) The determination of budget policy, guidance, and strategy.

(17) The collection, control, and disbursement of fees, royalties, duties, fines, taxes, and other public

funds, unless authorized by statute, such as 31 U.S.C. 952 (relating to private collection contractors) and

31 U.S.C. 3718

(relating to private attorney collection services), but not including—

(i) Collection of fees, fines, penalties, costs, or other charges from visitors to or patrons of mess halls,

post or base exchange concessions, national parks, and similar entities or activities, or from other persons,

where the amount to be collected is easily calculated or predetermined and the funds collected can be easily

controlled using standard case management techniques; and

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(ii) Routine voucher and invoice examination.

(18) The control of the treasury accounts.

(19) The administration of public trusts.

(20) The drafting of Congressional testimony, responses to Congressional correspondence, or agency

responses to audit reports from the Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office, or other Federal

audit entity.